Music Review: Whole, by Jessa Anderson
My Thoughts About the CD:
Jessa Anderson has done it again — Whole is gritty, honest, transparent and a little piece of her heart. I’ve enjoyed Jessa’s music since the release of her debut album (Not Myself Anymore) a few years ago and love watching her family, career and ministry grow. What I love the most about her music is that you can truly hear her love for Jesus. More than anything I love watching someone serve with every single bit of their heart and soul and listening in on Jessa’s music gives you a sneak peek right into what’s truly most important to her. Do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to listen to one of my new favorite songs from her new album, called IDOLS.
“Idols” video with lyrics:
I also had the privilege of reviewing Jessa’s debut album Not Myself Anymore back in February 2012, if you are interested in finding out more about my review you can read it here: https://melissamashburn.com/2012/02/05/music-review-jessa-anderson-not-myself-anymore/
About the CD from Jessa’s website:
I was recently asked how things have changed for me with the writing and releasing of Whole, my third full length project. My best answer is this: Whole is the project I’ve always wanted to make. Through this 6-year journey of writing, creating, releasing, and touring, I have pushed myself to be real—to be me. The songs on this record feel so very me, and so very true to life. They are one woman’s perspective to be sure, but sharing that perspective is half the battle. Freely giving of our hearts and minds is what draws us near, what allows us to identify with one another.
I could write volumes about this record and each of it’s individual songs, but in the interest of time, I will just say that life is not easily wrapped up in a beautiful package, or a 3 1/2 minute radio single. Whole encompasses both the shiny, happy moments, and the gory, gut-wrenching ones. My gladness in the gospel of Jesus is expressed through songs like “Everything”, “Never the Same”, and “Story of Grace”. Issues like divorce, dysfunction, and dissatisfaction are woven through “Breakdown”, “Stay”, and “Idols”. There’s even a love song, “Caught Me By Surprise”, thrown into the mix, co-written with my talented husband (a rare feat for the two of us)! Each of these songs means the world to me, and my hope is that you’ll soon say the same.
I could write volumes about this record and each of it’s individual songs, but in the interest of time, I will just say that life is not easily wrapped up in a beautiful package, or a 3 1/2 minute radio single. Whole encompasses both the shiny, happy moments, and the gory, gut-wrenching ones. My gladness in the gospel of Jesus is expressed through songs like “Everything”, “Never the Same”, and “Story of Grace”. Issues like divorce, dysfunction, and dissatisfaction are woven through “Breakdown”, “Stay”, and “Idols”. There’s even a love song, “Caught Me By Surprise”, thrown into the mix, co-written with my talented husband (a rare feat for the two of us)! Each of these songs means the world to me, and my hope is that you’ll soon say the same.
You can purchase a copy of the CD here: http://jessaanderson.com/shop
About the Artist:
Jessa Anderson, a singer/songwriter residing in Nashville, TN with her husband (and resident booking agent/manager/musician extraordinaire) Jordan and our two beautiful, crazy kiddos Lorelei and Jagger. Passionate about many things, and many I enjoy, but I believe there are very few things in life that really,truly matter. First, Jesus Christ. After that, people. From there it all starts to blur into the category of “you can’t take it with you”, so I’m doing my best to invest the majority of my time and effort toward the first two. As for music, and why it matters, I view it as a thread that runs far and wide, bringing people to God and to one another. I have a hard time labeling music in and of itself as “Christian”, but I am proud to be a Christ-follower making music encompassing both the human and the holy.